F911 Downloads: Are they legal?

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

Does ANYONE know, definitively, as to the legality of the F911 downloads that were available from the Lionsgate site on Sat. night? Is there a URL of somewhere with a statement as to their legality?

[htuttle]

1. Nothing definitive, etc....

But I recall that someone who'd downloaded and watched it said it was clearly a bootleg -- IIRC, they said it looked like it had been video taped from the screen.

[benburch]

2. What was the nature of the downloads?

Complete film? Just clips? Produced trailers?

I'd need more information to answer your question.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. Apparently...

The complete film. I have read, here on DU, that DJMikeyM has given this his okeydokey, but I am not even watching them until I get more proof.

I tried emailing Mike, but his michaelmoore.com mailbox is overflowed.

[benburch]

5. It was on an official Lionsgate film site?

If so, and if they put it there themselves, then you may presume that they have given up their copyright to that version and that version only. Perhaps this is why it was such a low-quality version?

However, if hackers put that up on the site, then there is no such right granted.

[arcos]

4. no, bootlegs are always illegal...

but Michael Moore said he doesn't mind as long as people don't profit from it.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

6. You got a link to that statement?

I'm not from Missouri, but for this I am. ;')

[benburch]

7. If this does prove to be true, I want a copy.

If MM allows this with his blessings, then I want to have a copy of this to host on my streaming server.

However, it does seem unlikely!

[arcos]

9. no, no link... well, sort of...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=1877021&mesg_id=1877262

I read it on a thread last week, and I believe it had a link... archive search is off, though :P

[Trillo]

8. Just a guess,

but even though MM, the filmaker, says it's okay to download under "no profit" stipulation, doesn't someone else own the distribution rights? Isn't that what Disney owned, then sold? If so, that party, the owner, would need to consent to free distribution.

I started downloading the files the other night, but after lionsgatefilms.com site changed, I discontinued the download before CD1 was completed.

I do have a friend, a die-hard R, that won't pay to see it. I'll likely buy a DVD and show it to him for free sometime before the election, unless I can obtain a free copy legally.

With the high price of non-matinee tickets, why don't the theaters pass out DVDs to people buying tickets? More people would go to the theaters if they knew they were also receiving the DVD and could re-view the movie again at home for no additional cost.

[AP]

10. It's not his choice, most likely.

Unless he retained internet distribution rights, it's not his decision to make.

[arcos]

11. It is his choice to have a problem or not...

It is not his choice whether to persecute or not illegal downloaders. He is not giving it away, he is just saying he doesn't mind if it is done.

[AP]

12. Just saying, if you're looking for legal permission, he's not the one to

ask. If you're looking for moral permission, that's another thing. It won't keep you from getting sued, but it might make you feel better.

[arcos]

13. oh, definitely...

that's why I said that bootlegs are always illegal :P